by Evan Debo
After three and a half years of competing at the collegiate level, I’ve decided it is in the best interest of my family and my career to declare myself eligible for the NBA Draft. Now some of you might be wondering, is it possible to enter the NBA Draft without logging any collegiate or high school basketball minutes? In a word, yes.
Earlier this year, Reddit user “nemoran” did such a thing after sending in his draft declaration to NBA commissioner David Stern on a hope and a prayer – and maybe some alcoholic wisdom – and I figure if he could do it, why can’t I?
No, I do not have handles like Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart, or the ability to go coast-to-coast and dunk in traffic like Duke’s Jabari Parker, but my game minutes come from watching and writing on the game of basketball for nearly eight years now.
I could most certainly hold my weight as an end-of-the-bench guy – holding up a ‘gooseneck’ to celebrate a teammate’s three-pointer or being caught on camera whiffing on a high-five with the team’s franchise player.
Sure, I could be that guy.
In my time at Capital, I have had the opportunity to study the game of life under great coaching.
From Capital University Athletic Director Steve Bruning, who helped channel a passion to work in public relations and athletics, to Sports Information Director Chris Lindeke, who saw a guy with some talent and gave him a shot to help run some athletic events on campus, there have been teachers who have helped me develop my game in preparation for the pros.
But it wasn’t just them. I consider myself lucky to have been a student in all of my past classes during my undergraduate coursework. Professors Foreman-Wernet, Croft, Rybas, Schwantes, Koch, Walton, Messinger….the list is too long. All of you have had a hand in developing the pro you see before you today.
So that’s all fine and dandy, but some might wonder how my game will transition to the ranks of the NBA? Well, for starters, I won’t be a starter. Again, my role will be benchwarmer, but I am happy to do so should I be drafted into the association.
If a prospective team were to look over my draft resumé, they would find it missing All-Conference mentions, All-America honors, or team records as, again, my game minutes do not exist.
My minutes at Capital aren’t measured in points, rebounds, assists, or found in John Hollinger’s Player Efficiency Rating (PER); they are measured in games and a lifetime of experiences working with Capital Athletics and covering CapFam sports.
As any great pro knows, you have to study those that came before you in order to be successful. Bill Bernlohr’s Crusader men’s basketball teams from 1929-56 – who my great uncle Dick Ott played under at Capital – claimed two OAC titles and went 187-157 over that span.
Former Capital standout Mike Oucalt once dropped 49 points in a contest against Denison University in the 1957-58 season.
And of late, May 2013 graduate Spencer Niekamp averaged 15.3 PPG and 5.5 RPG while shooting 49 percent from the field and 47 percent from distance last season under head coach Damon Goodwin (a legend in his right with 323 wins in 19 years and counting).
As Kobe watched Michael, I have observed Crusader basketball, as well as all varsity sports here at Capital.
“CapFam” is a term that has become synonymous with Capital’s tradition of excellence and family-driven culture – a term students like myself wear proudly on our sleeves even though we might still be Ohio State fans at heart.
What will make me a great pro at the next level is my acknowledgement of those who have come before me as well as my role within the Capfam.
I will always be forever grateful for my time in Bexley, the experiences I have had with students and faculty, as well as my opportunity the university has laid before moving forward with my career.
So back to my decision to forgo the latter half of my senior season at Capital for the NBA.
As most seniors feel about this time of year, I don’t think I have anything left to prove. I have structured my schedule over the past three years to allow me make the jump to the next level early should I choose to.
Right now, my time at Capital has run its course and I am excited to see what the pros have in store for me come next year’s NBA Draft.
To all who have helped me along the way, thank you, and to all who aspire to reach their dreams outside the confines of 1 College and Main – opportunity awaits those who seek it.
I have aspirations of doing big things in the sports industry after I leave Capital and it has been something I have been working towards since I was 10 years old. As a pro, I am looking forward to my first game-winner, my first All-Star appearance, and my first trip to New York to play under the lights in Madison Square Garden.
Before submitting my formal application to David Stern’s office in Hoboken, NJ, I will pass along this column and with it my hopes at making it at the next level should I be drafted by one of the 32 professional basketball franchises in the association.
I may not be the next LeBron, Kobe, or Jordan, but I will go down 0-16 shooting from the field trying.
edebo@capital.edu
